Social Relationships

What is a Social Relationship?

• Involves dynamics of social interactions regulated by social and cultural norms between two or more people.
• Each person has a social position and performs a social role.
• Characteristics:
  • Less intimate
  • Lesser self-disclosure
  • May still be exclusive
  • May demand a certain level of loyalty

Social Relationships in Middle and Late Adolescence

• Adolescents typically find themselves in the company of peers, often forming neighborhoods.
• They mature faster socially and learn new lessons.

Impact of Youth Group Involvement

Teenagers who join youth groups and other clubs are:

• Happier
• Less likely to drink or smoke

Research Findings:

• Less likely to smoke or have been drunk compared to peers.
• More likely to consume fruits and vegetables regularly.
• Although exposed to more peer pressure, they tend to be more socially adept and physically active.

Community Activity

Definition: Part of civic responsibility; engaging in community activities out of choice rather than obligation.

Ways to be Active in Your Community:

1. Join a youth club, scouting group, or a local environmental/cleanup group.
2. Help with a primary school play or coordinate/coaching junior sports.
3. Set up an arts space for the community or get involved in youth radio.
4. Be part of a youth advisory group through the local council.
5. Promote causes like clean environments, recycling, or active sports participation.

Benefits of Involvement in Community Activities

1. Role Models:

• Interact with like-minded peers and positive adult role models.
• Encourages seeing the world from different perspectives.

2. Identity and Connection:

• Helps young people understand who they are and where they fit in.
• Can foster a sense of connection to the local community and the wider world.

3. Skills:

• Provides opportunities to apply existing skills.
• Teaches important life skills, like time management.
• Examples:
  • Cooking skills (feeding programs, fundraising projects)
  • Voluntary work (helping at an animal shelter)

4. Self-Confidence, Mental Health, and Well-Being:

• Learn to handle challenges and communicate with diverse individuals.
• Build life skills in a supportive environment.
• Protects against sadness, depression, substance abuse, and criminal activity.

Social Influence

Definition: Describes how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors respond to the social world, including tendencies to conform, follow social rules, and obey authority figures.

Types of Social Influence

• Conformity: Change of behavior or belief due to real or imagined group pressure.
• Identification: Influence from someone liked by the individual.
• Internalization: Adoption of beliefs or actions that the individual publicly or privately endorses.

Types of Conformity

• Normative Influence: Conformity based on the desire to meet others' expectations for acceptance.
• Informational Influence: Conformity occurring when individuals accept others' evidence about reality.

Other Types of Influence

• Conversion: Wholeheartedly changing original beliefs to align with others.
• Minority Influence: A smaller group influences a larger group.
• Reactance: Rejection of social influence.
• Obedience: Following directives without necessarily agreeing.
• Persuasion: One group or person influencing another.

Leadership

Definition: Encouraging a group to achieve goals while maintaining good relations.

Theories of Leadership

• Trait Theory: Leadership based on specific characteristics.
• Behavioral Theory: Leadership as learned behavior.
• Participative Theory: Involves others in decision-making.
• Situational Theory: No single leadership style is effective in all situations.
• Transactional Theory: Employs rewards or punishments.
• Transformational Theory: Visionary leaders inspire collective action.
• Servant Leadership: Focuses on serving others rather than self-interest.